We are in part three of our four-part message series: God with us. We are basing it off the verse from the Christmas story, Matthew 1:23, that says, “Look, the virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and they will call him “Emmanuel” which means, “God with us!” God became a human, Jesus, so we would know that God is truly with us. We’re talking about the presence of God in our lives, even when life is not smooth sailing. The first week we learned when there is a problem in our life, not to focus too much on the problem, but instead to think about the great opportunity God has to save the day. God is with us! Last week we learned our deepest need becomes a gift when it leads us to depend on God.
Today we’re gonna talk about God’s presence in the storms of life. This year there were some deadly hurricanes: Hurricane Laura, Isaias. But years past there were some really bad storms. Hurricane Katrina was a terrible storm. It’s strange that we give hurricanes people names. They didn’t used to. 1954 was the first year they started naming hurricanes female names. So, imagine you are a meteorologist, and you come home and tell your wife: “Hey honey, there’s this category five storm, it’s gonna kill a lot of people and leave tons of damage. Reminded me of you, so it has your name.” Makes you wonder what they were thinking! But in 1979 there was equal rights for storms, and they started to name them after men as well.
So, if we name hurricanes, why can’t we name the storms of life? Storm finances. Storm job. Storm depression. Storm family issues. Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of real pain, trying times, and we wish the storm would go away.
But we all go through storms. And there is an opportunity in a difficult time, to be an encouragement to others in the storm. God will use what you learn in your storm to help someone through theirs.
We’re going to look at Acts 27, when Paul and many others were on a boat in the middle of a massive, crazy storm. It was so bad they thought they would not survive. Neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and “The storm continued raging.” Have you ever been through something that just doesn’t stop? The storm continued, and then Paul says in v. 20 “We finally gave up all hope of being saved.” I have heard people tell me they have just given up all hope. There’s no way they will get back on their feet. No way they will beat cancer. “I’m gonna be alone for my whole life.” “I’m never going to be able to afford college.” They gave up all hope.
Well, back to the ship in a storm, the storm continued to rage. In v. 21 it says, “After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: ‘Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.’” Now Paul was just a regular guy. He was not above telling people in the middle of difficulty: “I told you so.” “You should have listened to me.” Nobody wants to hear that, but sometimes it’s true. Sometimes it’s your own fault. Sometimes you’re in debt because you spent too much money. Sometimes you’re in a storm because your emotions got the best of you and you said something you shouldn’t say.
But there are times you are in a storm, and it’s not your fault. You’re a kid and your parents divorce, and it’s not your fault. Or your company does dumb stuff, and then they have to downsize and it’s not your fault. Whoever’s fault it is, in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to give up hope.
Paul was a regular guy and said, “I told you so.” “I was right, you were wrong.” But then he really changes his tune and helps get the boat and everybody through a horrific storm, when they all think they are going to die!
v. 22 he says, “But now I urge you to keep up your courage,” Some of you need to hear this, keep up your courage, keep your faith. The angel says, “This storm isn’t going to take you down, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. In vs. 23 Paul says, “Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me.” I’ve been in the process of moving before, and when someone shows up to help, that’s amazing! Maybe they help for 20 minutes, but it’s a huge thing when all of a sudden, someone shows up and help is here!
When we moved to Tamaqua, a neighbor boy, 8 years old, was talking to my kids as we were unloading the truck. The boy said he would help us! He was close to my kids’ age. Hi willingness made me feel great. He didn’t move heavy stuff, and had to leave at his bedtime. But just that he was there, he was willing, and he was helping, gave us a boost. It’s really helpful when the 6-foot 2 musclebound guy shows up, that’s amazing! But even the 8-year-old helping got my courage up. There is help! Someone is with us! We can do this! Like an “angel” who helps you move, in the storm an angel of God stood beside Paul. It gave Paul hope! And he shared this hope with others who needed it.
In v. 24 the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ In other words, this angel told him, God has more battles for you to fight in future. God’s not finished with you yet, or with anyone on the boat! This storm isn’t going to get you.
What actually happened was, Paul had such confidence in God, he was able to encourage and guide the others, so that everyone got through the storm.
Some sailors let down the lifeboat and were planning to get in it and escape. Vs. 31 continues, “Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, ‘Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.’” So, they cut the ropes and sent the lifeboat away empty.
Next Paul encouraged them to eat. They had been in a storm for 14 days. He says, you didn’t have the stomach to eat. But he told them, now its time to eat. You need to in order to survive. But you will survive. Not a hair on your head will be lost. He took some bread, gave thanks to God, and then ate it. And they all ate. There were 276 people aboard.
Next the ship runs aground, and they have to swim and float toward shore. But they all make it! It could have turned out badly. But because God was with Paul, and Paul told everyone to be encouraged, God would take care of them, they all survive.
Paul had been through many dangers before. God used what Paul learned in storms and in this particular storm, that God was with him, to help 275 others survive a storm.
You know, today is the perfect time to give some encouragement to someone. We are looking at three weeks of restrictions, Christmas without getting the family all together, people in the hospital, and people who have passed away. We’re back to takeouts at restaurants and tiny funerals, or funerals outside in the cold. It’s time to let people know: God isn’t going to let you lose a hair on your head! God is with you. There’s a purpose in a storm. The storm didn’t surprise God. He’s strengthening you. Paul said in v. 25, “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God.” Somebody needs to hear from you that you are with them and God is with them. Your homework this week is to encourage someone.
Whatever storm you’re facing, you can’t go down in the battle, because God has more for you to do. God has more people for you to love. God has more opportunities for you to serve. He’s got more times for you to bless others. God will use what you learn in a storm, to prepare you to help others through their storms. Amen.
Dec. 13, 2020
Maureen Duffy-Guy's blog 